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What is an Advocacy Toolkit and Why Do People with Disabilities Need One ASAP

Featured by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

As people with disabilities, advocacy is one of the main techniques we use to have our needs met. While this can invoke stress and anxiety in some people and even prevent them from conquering their goals, it does not have to be that way. Creating an advocacy toolkit may be the solution you have been looking for without knowing you were looking. This post is going to explain what an advocacy toolkit is and why you need one in your life.

An advocacy toolkit is a term I created after years of advocating in different situations with no clear road map to guide me along the way. Creating your own advocacy toolkit provides you with a system to implement that helps you be more efficient in your efforts. When you live with a disability, there aren’t many “how to” manuals to take the guesswork out of accomplishing your goals. This can leave you scared, overwhelmed, and even defeated before you get started. Some of the items in the toolkit are physical while others are not. Those that are not will require some other investment from you such as time, resourcefulness, or brainstorming. This is when you can get creative and have a little bit of fun involving friends, family, or others in your support system to get involved in sharpening your skills on the way to overcoming each hurdle that lies in front of you.

While some of the issues that people come up against while advocating for their needs are unique to them, there are some things that are standard that can help make overcoming your obstacles a little bit easier. First, let me define what I mean by an advocacy toolkit. It is a set of resources you create to help you maximize your ability to get a positive outcome for your issue.

Organization is a big part of successful advocacy. Choose a designated area to keep your materials. I call that the command central of all your advocacy activities. The benefit of even having a dedicated corner or space for your advocacy projects can be priceless to the overall operation of your success in the world of advocacy. Advocacy can be stressful. Designating an area to house folders, notebooks and other key materials helps you know where all your materials for each project are located at the drop of a hat. After you sit down in that space, all you need to do is focus on what needs to be done.

Documentation. First it is important to mention that to ensure your success, you should use a system that works for you. Whether you are using a computer program to document certain facts that help you build supporting evidence or if you use regular pen and paper. Your system for keeping notes, logs and other important papers together needs to be something that won’t be easily lost like a loose-leaf sheet of paper randomly placed on your dining room table.

Resources. Learning all you can about what is currently available to help you in your community is another tool that needs to be in place. It is important to stay up to date on the requirements to utilize the services of agencies or other offices that can play a role and assist you in your desired outcome.

Key Details Know the details of the issue that is an obstacle for you. This is where you focus on the problem in front of you. Is there anyone else who has had the same problem in the past? How is it affecting you? Why is it an obstacle for you? Learn as much as you can about how the system currently works and who is on the front line.

Build your Team. Building your team has many benefits for the advocate. Sometimes we need people to be there to listen to our ideas. Maybe we need someone to talk to if the process gets stressful. Building a team that can provide us with the support we need is a way to figure out who can best encourage you in reaching your goal. It is also a way of figuring out who are the people you need to connect with to help you with information and who are the people responsible for helping you overcome the obstacle in front of you. Sometimes you can enlist family members or friends. In other cases, it is the managers of a company that can help eliminate the obstacles in front of you that you can make connections with to help you along the way.

Become Familiar with Potential Outcomes (or Devise Your Own) Try to find out solutions that have been used in the past. What worked and what did not work? Do you have an idea that seems like it could work as a satisfactory solution? Be open to working together with the other stakeholders and other interested parties to work together in finding a solution that works for everyone involved.

Practice your craft. Advocacy is all about refining the skills you need to get your message across. Whether it is public speaking, writing a letter or learning better organizational techniques, use some of your time to find ways to improve on the craft of advocacy. There are plenty of workshops, books, and webinars you can access right from the comfort of your home to brush up on your skills or even learn new ones that can come in handy for improving your outcomes.

This list can help you get off to a good start at becoming a better advocate. It is up to you to create the system you need that will maximize your success rate. Advocacy can be a stressful thing to take on. When you have fewer things to worry about, it is much easier to use the energy to focus on the desired outcome and how to get there.

Contributions Made by Ed Roberts Still Impact the Lives of People with Disabilities

Featured by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Although people may not be aware of how disability history has shaped the path of people with disabilities, some people may find it interesting that there have been many people with disabilities who have influenced a lot of activities and initiatives in existence today. Many individuals with disabilities have placed their stamp on American history. In this post I am going to discuss why Ed Roberts’ contributions to the history and advancement of people with disabilities has impacted people’s lives in today’s environment.

This week the disability community celebrates Ed Roberts Day. He is one of the most important figures in disability history for many reasons. Ed Roberts gave the world a blueprint of how to live your life and accomplish your dreams despite your disability. Diagnosed with polio at the age of 14, he did not let that stop him from pursuing higher education and advocating for change that are now considered standard practice for people with disabilities. He is one of the people who led the way in the disability rights movement and showed that people with disabilities could do more than be defined by their physical limitations.

The idea of independent living would not have gained momentum during the time it did if Ed Roberts had not advocated for the rights and equality of individuals with disabilities. His efforts paved the way for the chance to live in our communities while having access to needed supports that would ultimately improve our quality of life.

He broke down barriers for people with disabilities to have an opportunity to experience independent living when other people said that we could not. He laid the foundation for people with disabilities to have the chance to live on campus during their college years, live independently with the supports they need, and be gainfully employed. If Ed Roberts would not have set a path in front of himself during his life, the struggles of people with disabilities in these areas may look considerably different today. There may not be a framework in place to allow students with disabilities to believe higher education or employment could be a possibility available to them.

During his time in college at The University of California, Berkley, he established The Rolling Quads. This group of students with disabilities would be the model of what students with disabilities service offices look like on most American campuses today. They worked together to create needed resources for students with disabilities to succeed in completing their education. This included what they crafted into accessible housing and making the first strides toward advocating for accessible architectural changes in their surroundings.

Ed Roberts is also known as “The Father of Independent Living Movement.” He along with a group of other people with disabilities started the first Center for Independent Living. Now widely utilized within communities across the country, Centers for Independent Living provide a range of supports and resources so that individuals with disabilities can navigate life within their communities.

Ed Roberts later became the Director of Vocational Rehabilitation in California. This agency is charged with assisting individuals with disabilities in obtaining a job. It can also assist you to tap into other needed resources to help you during your employment journey. These resources can minimize the obstacles a person with a disability may face in their line of work. In this role, he also proved that an individual with a disability can successfully oversee an agency.

As a result of his pioneering efforts, Roberts helped people with disabilities live more independently and expand on opportunities for a better life. People with disabilities can live within the community. They can have the full college experience, complete with living in the dorm rooms if they are available at your chosen higher institution. They can also be gainfully employed and hold a position of authority at the same time. The stereotypes he was able to crush helped move people with disabilities in the direction of being seen as people who can make valuable contributions to the world.

Learning about historical contributions of individuals with disabilities shows it is not a negative thing to have a disability. It is also clear evidence that those in the disability community can have positive and lasting impacts on the framework of society.

As a community and as individuals we should follow his example. He did not let his disability be an obstacle to what he wanted in life. The key is to follow your heart and not worry about what others say. Take the torch he has left for us and continue with the mission of advocating for full equity in all areas of life for people with disabilities.

His example encourages us along our paths even though we may feel like some things are insurmountable. There are steps everyone needs to follow to accomplish what they want in life. This is also true for individuals with disabilities. The only difference is that we must sometimes be more creative along the way. It is only a matter of plotting out the course of our lives and seeing things through to their completion.

Coping with Holiday Stress

Featured by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Since the holiday season is in full swing, I thought it would be a great time to talk about coping with holiday stress.

For most people, the holidays are seen as being full of happiness and joy. It’s a season to spend time with your families and be happy making memories.

What I feel we forget is the fact that some people have difficulty making it through the holidays for various reasons. Maybe they have lost a loved one recently or maybe they cannot be with their loved ones due to the distance of where they live. There are so many reasons someone may struggle through the holiday; we just don’t know. All these reasons are valid and the individual going through this situation should be able to take time not only to take care of themselves but find ways they can enjoy the holidays on their own terms. Maybe that means having a plan of action where they can participate with family members and loved ones at their own pace.

The stigma still surrounding mental health and mental illness issues has no place in today’s society. No one should feel like less of a person for the struggles they face in this world. Part of the problem that makes mental health issues worse is that people feel isolation and shame for being unable to express their feelings. Not enough is known about these issues and that makes the general population uncomfortable. The more we allow this subject to be left in the darkness, the more unnecessary fear will continue to plague our loved ones and the family members of those people. Because we have so many resources available due to technology, we should do everything we can to learn more about how mental health affects our loved ones. If we can help locate valuable information, we can be a guiding light in their lives so they can feel supported and heard all the time.

Either way, it is time to take the subject of stress and mental health out of the shadows and make it more acceptable for people to be open about the struggles they face. This may even be a subject that makes some people feel uncomfortable to talk about. If we can open real lines of communication with the people we love and trust so they can see other people have vulnerabilities too, they would not feel so alone. Because mental health issues are invisible disabilities, they sometimes don’t get the attention or even the credibility they need so they can be properly addressed. Starting the conversation can at least give people a chance to learn from one another. This dialog may also be a way for people to find out what they can do to support that person in their lives.

It is also a good idea to have a safe space to go to where a person can speak freely with others going through the same experiences. There are so many avenues that can be explored so that people do not feel alone on their journey. Keeping to a familiar routine can be a way to minimize the anxiety of upcoming festivities. Implementing time management strategies into your life so that you don’t spread yourself to thin when deciding which festivities work for you. Maybe journaling or tapping into an artistic outlet can help them manage their situation in the moment. Then they can get back to the task at hand that needs to be addressed.

We should be mindful of our mental health and of those we care about not only during the holiday season but throughout the year. This is one way to ensure everyone we care about knows they are supported and have people in their corners that will have their back. We should be there all the time to support our friends, family and neighbors when they need us. There are things we can do to help the people around us know they are not alone in their struggle.

People need to know that it is totally okay to have difficulty around this or any other time of the year. We need to be kind to one another and really lend an ear not just as something that sounds like the trendy thing to do but as something that becomes the common place thing to do for one another.

Taking the lead to remove the stigma surrounding mental health issues in our communities comes with numerous benefits. Talking more openly about our mental health as part of a complete wellness approach will open communication about this topic between individuals, their families and the community. Strategies and solutions that work for the person can be implemented seamlessly into their lives. Once these conversations are brought into the mainstream, the positive results can increase not only during the holiday season but throughout the entire year.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month and its Importance for People with Disabilities

Featured by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

October marks breast cancer awareness month. This is the month that was chosen to highlight the importance of getting routine mammograms and raise awareness about breast cancer.

Due to the pandemic, there has been a drop in going to get preventative screenings completed. This can have serious implications for your health and possible long-term prognosis. For both women with and without a disability, it’s equally important to stay current with mammogram screenings. Mammograms are used by doctors to find early signs of breast cancer. It’s very important to get a mammogram on a regular basis. The first experience of getting a mammogram may seem scary to some but once you have gone through the process, you may see it as an empowering step you have taken to care of yourself.

For people with disabilities, there are many concerns we need to be able to discuss openly with our health professionals. Some of these topics, such as breast cancer screenings may seem uncomfortable or taboo to talk about but need to be addressed. Make sure you have a healthcare provider you feel comfortable talking to about sensitive issues. They are there to help you take the best care possible of yourself. Make sure you are open with them about your medical history. If you don’t feel like you can openly discuss your medical issues, it may be time to find a new provider.

Preventative screenings are one way for all women to be proactive when it comes to health. Doctors will tell you to complete self-checks even before it’s time for your mammogram. Self-checks may be difficult to do if you have a disability but, it’s important to do the best you can to complete them. It’s also important for you to take note of any new moles or markings you may notice in between appointments and screenings They may just be your body changing as you age but, it’s always important to be familiar with things and get a doctor to look at them just to be sure it’s nothing potentially dangerous to your health.

When you make an appointment, you can let the person taking your information know you will need assistance during the exam. Be sure to follow the pre appointment instructions you are given to be prepared properly on the day of the appointment. Once at the appointment, you can let the technician know how they can best assist you so they can get an accurate test done.

When your primary care doctor receives the results, they will notify you of their preferred method they use to communicate the results to their patients. Some doctors will require you to make an appointment for an office visit to talk with you about the results. Because of the pandemic, some doctors may convey the results to you through a telehealth visit.

Mammograms are one of the easiest things you can do to help take care of yourself. Finding breast cancer early helps you have a higher chance of winning the battle against this terrible disease. Don’t be afraid about asking for help during your mammogram or talking to your doctor about questions you might have when going to get a mammogram.

Speaking up to get the preventative care you need has many benefits. You can help the doctors become more informed on the health needs of people with disabilities. It will also help you advocate for the care you need. The effort you make now can help save your life.

DISCLAIMER TO READER: The content of this post is for informational or educational purposes only, and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not a doctor or mental health professional. My blog is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on my site.

The Importance of Grassroots Groups for People with Disabilities

Featured by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Grassroots groups have helped many people spark change around the world for different reasons. They have also been instrumental in championing social justice issues throughout American history. Grassroots groups are one of the best kept secrets in the toolbox of people with disabilities too. The only problem is they aren’t utilized as much as they should be. To help readers improve the resources available to them in their advocacy toolbox, here are 6 benefits of a grassroots group for people with disabilities.

Become more familiar with different aspects of advocacy. Advocacy can be such a long and confusing process. In order to be successful advocates, people must learn the ins and outs of each step that needs to be taken to reach a goal. Sometimes this may overwhelm people. The more we become active in an issue and see the advocacy process in motion, the more knowledge we can gain about how effective advocacy can work in our favor.

Strength in Numbers. This is a common saying utilized in areas of social change but is a concept that can be used for many reasons. Getting involved in a grassroots group is a great way to find people with shared goals surrounding an issue. The idea that many people are involved in efforts to solve a shared problem helps increase awareness and show the importance of finding a solution to others who may not know enough about the issue. There may be someone following the progress made on the situation that holds the key to influencing solutions that can push the issue forward on a larger scale.

Pool of Resources. Once you find a group of people who share an interest in making change surrounding a cause, you may find yourself networking with them to find out what they can teach you about a subject. You can create a plan to work together to streamline the process of solving the problem. Be open to learn from each other and try to find out what didn’t work before. These details can help you solve the issue that much faster. You will have the opportunity to learn about resources that are available or share your knowledge of resources with someone who may not have such a broad knowledge base. Building a reliable toolkit of resources is all about learning from one another.

Taking action for change. Participating in activities to create positive change for yourself and others is one way to act on issues important to you where you believe there needs to be change. Seeing the results of your work can be a powerful motivator to spur you on to increase your advocacy efforts in that one area or expand your efforts to other issues. It can be evidence for you that your voice matters and the actions you take to raise awareness and change an issue for the better can make a difference, not only for you but for those around you. Once you see real proof from the work you have done, there is no stopping the way you can influence the change necessary to positively impact any issue affecting people with disabilities.

Sense of Community. One of the biggest benefits of grassroots groups is growing a sense of community. Everyone needs to know they aren’t alone in their struggles. A grassroots group allows you the opportunity to meet people with similar experiences who you can learn from but also find a place to have shared commonalities. The support that results from such an environment will positively impact your self-esteem, your self-confidence, your sense of community and the strength that comes with being surrounded by a strong support system.

Boost in Self-Confidence and Empowerment. Anytime it’s possible to make positive change in our lives can be a huge self-esteem booster and a source of empowerment. Too often the media and social norms have engrained in us that people with disabilities aren’t powerful. This is the farthest thing from the truth. Because of the activism taken on by people with disabilities they have capitalized on the power of raising awareness in their communities. As a result, huge changes have been made in the United States because of these efforts. We need to harness that momentum and use those examples of advocates that came before us. Building on the foundation they carved out, we can continue the work that will lead to further improving treatment and increasing rights for people with disabilities.

The only thing left to do is to decide which disability issue you want to get involved with. First, learn as much as you can about the issue that is important to you. Next, find out what organizations in your area are trying to advocate for change in that area. Then, contact the organizations or groups to find out about available opportunities to get involved in their activities. Decide if there is something available that is a fit for you. Then, last but not least, GET INVOLVED!

The difference these activities will make in your life will not only change the way you see the world but give you tools to make a difference that will be felt by not only yourself but, others around you. You will be seen as a trailblazer in your own right that made a mark on society on their own terms. That will make you a leader in your community and a person to follow by the example you’ve put forth.

Reflections of the Contributions Made By Justin Dart, Jr. on the 32nd Anniversary of the ADA

Featured by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

As the anniversary of signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) approaches, it’s hard not to think about the contributions that Justin Dart, Jr. made to the disability community. It’s also hard to ignore how the culmination of his advocacy and efforts of increasing awareness about issues faced by people with disabilities was met when George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. There are many contributions that Justin Dart, Jr. made to the advancement of independence for people with disabilities that is relevant more than ever today. This one piece of legislation had a profoundly positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities. His efforts not only had an impact on the passage of the landmark law but can also be felt more than 20 years after his death.

Widely recognized as the “father” of the ADA, Justin Dart, Jr. came from a prominent background. When he contracted polio in 1948, he became a wheelchair user. From then on, he championed causes for people with disabilities. Justin Dart, Jr. traveled around the country before there was wheelchair access at hotels and other places that make travel easier for people with disabilities today. He is also responsible for being one of the co-founders of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). This agency is responsible for starting the REV UP Campaign and the push for increased participation of voters with disabilities during each election cycle. This movement started to let voters with disabilities gain awareness about the power their voices can have when it comes to voting for elected officials.

Continued advocacy is still needed surrounding voting and people with disabilities. Although polling places may not be completely accessible, the ability to vote is vital to the disability community. By voting for politicians who we feel will best address our issues, we help put into place people who will be instrumental in being a part of finding ways to address various issues that affect our community each day. Because of the example Mr. Dart left us when it comes to political activism, people with disabilities should know their votes count, their voices matter, and they can make a difference in what happens in our country.

Too often, people with disabilities are afraid to exercise their right to vote because they think their voice does not matter or they cannot make a difference by voting. In my opinion, Justin Dart, Jr. is an excellent example of what happens when you focus your advocacy efforts to make substantial change happen for yourself and others. The mark he left behind on the fabric of the disability community and the world is what effective advocacy can do when you keep your eye on the reason you began your advocacy journey in the first place.

Mr. Dart gave us the starting point to voice our opinions in a way that allows the disability community to be a part of the process that shapes the political fabric of our country. His activism in the political arena led to further empowerment of people with disabilities in the hope that there would be a change in the way the disability population was viewed by other portions of the American public.

There are so many disability activists who have made a difference with the changes they helped bring about that have resulted in changing the way people with disabilities live and participate in the world. It is up to us as a community to learn about the contributions disability activists made and continue the work they started. It’s imperative that we continue advocating for other issues to increase our independence. The disability community must take the lead on educating others not in our community about important contributions these individuals made to improve our independence in society. The resulting dialogue can be the icebreaker needed to move the conversation forward about what it really means to live with a disability. As a result of these interactions, the disability community can finally be seen as people, not just the limitations physically visible at first glance.

Only then can we as a community have our needs met, be fully included, and accepted as productive members of society who can make a positive difference in the world. This is not only important for the disabled community that is an active, vibrant population now but also for future generations. There must be further understanding of what work still needs to be done. This will help us have more knowledge surrounding how far we’ve come to cherish the rights and voice we have molded in modern society.

We should study what Justin Dart, Jr. has left us meticulously so we can appreciate his efforts and the results he was able to achieve. This should be the blueprint of how to overcome whatever obstacle is put in our path due to our disability. Speaking up for ourselves and others should be the catalyst for the change necessary to improve our standing in society and how disability is viewed within our communities. This type of advocacy is not only necessary to move our community forward on various levels but is the right thing to do to continue the work Mr. Dart started so many years ago.

Relationship Tips for People with Disabilities

Featured by caste551, posted in Relationships and Family

Most people feel like Valentine’s Day is just a day for stores to sell lots of candy and Hallmark cards. Valentine’s Day is really a day set aside to celebrate love and the loved ones we have around us.

Relationships can be complicated. Sometimes the idea of dating can even be a little scary. For a person with a disability, they may feel an extra sense of anxiety when they think about dating.

People with disabilities should know they are worthy of companionship just like anyone without a disability. As a person with a disability sometimes you may feel like you are not supposed to want to venture into the world of dating. Maybe you feel like people won’t look past your disability to see what you have to offer someone else in a relationship.

Here are four tips to help you put your best foot forward when looking for a romantic partner.

Be confident. This may sound like a no brainer, but some people really struggle to be confident of themselves. Whether you’ve been disabled all your life, or your disability is a result of an accident you may have had later in life, it’s important to be confident in everything you do. Just because you have a disability doesn’t make you less of a person. Take some time to focus on the positives in your life to help you improve your self-image and what you have to offer anyone lucky enough to go out on a date with you.

Focus on your strengths. Everyone has strengths they can offer someone else in a relationship. Take an inventory of your strengths and let them shine when you are out on your date. Focus on your positive qualities with that person and they will focus on what you have to offer them as a potential partner.

Everyone has limitations. Some people’s limitations are more visible than others. You shouldn’t let your limitations hold you back from finding the right partner. This could even be your opportunity to help people learn more about your disability. The example you set of what it is to live with a disability could help erase any misconceptions they might have about people with disabilities.

Be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you are not. If people are truly interested in you, they will take the time to get to know you, the person. Your disability will be an afterthought to them as they get to know you and the qualities that make you the person you are. Make sure you share with them the things that are most important to you.

Most of all don’t forget to have fun. Dating can be a series of adventures. It is an opportunity to learn more about yourself, other people, and the world around you. You can go places and see things you may not otherwise get the opportunity to experience in other settings.

Don’t limit yourself or put yourself in a box. Don’t ever feel like you’re not good enough because you have a disability. You have the right to have the same experiences when it comes to dating as other people.

Even if you don’t find Mr. or Mrs. Right on the first try, you may be left with some interesting stories to tell your friends about when it comes to dating.

Whether you end up having a second date with that person or nothing comes out of the date, at least it was something you were able to experience. You never know what you may find.

The Benefits of Having a Doctor with a Disability as Part of Your Medical Team

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In recent years, there has been a lot of discussion about employing more doctors with disabilities in the medical field.

Having a doctor with a disability taking care of your medical needs has many benefits. It has a positive impact on the patient, and parent or caregiver in addition to creating a shift in the mindset of society about disability.

As a patient with a disability, having a doctor who is also disabled has a positive impact on their overall experience in a medical setting. It not only gives them someone who can relate to their issues on a more personal level, but can also help break the barriers of what society has projected disability to be. The patient can see that someone’s limitations don’t have to be a barrier to what they want to achieve in their lives.

The patient or even their parent can see that disabilities don’t have to limit career choices or the future we create for ourselves. The patient can see that not only can their medical needs be addressed by someone that can potentially better relate to their circumstances, but they can also see a real-world example of how someone can overcome their limitations to have a career that makes them happy.

Suddenly, the added stress they might sometimes feel about going to the doctor and having to justify other issues has suddenly melted away. They can address the actual reason for their visit. They get right to the point in your medical care and are that much closer to finding a solution to the problem at hand.

Sometimes parents aren’t sure what life with a disability is going to be like for their child. If they see adults with disabilities as doctors, or other professionals in different fields, they can gain a different perspective about what someone’s life with a disability can look like in the future. The doctor or other professional may even be willing to share advice on how to reach their goals while living with their disability. This might also help the parent understand how to better help their child reach their dreams.

The more society gets to see doctors and other successful professionals with disabilities in our society, the more likely it is that a lot of misconceptions about disability will change for the better. Society can get the chance to really recognize that people with disabilities can be productive and contribute to society in positive ways.

People with disabilities can achieve a career goal and even live in the same communities while making a difference in the lives of other people. These examples should be a catalyst to change how society views disability. It should also be a motivator so that those with a disability don’t feel like they can’t achieve whatever goal they set for themselves.

If you are lucky enough to have a doctor with a disability, you get to see that people with disabilities don’t have to be put in a box when it comes to what they want to do for a profession. The limitations we face can be overcome by some form of modification or accommodation. Seeing someone with a disability in a high-status position can help you go after your dreams, whatever they might be.

If you are a person with a disability and you want to be a doctor, a lawyer, or anything else, anything is possible. Don’t let your limitations stop you from accomplishing your dreams. There are so many people with disabilities that currently have influential jobs or positions in the community. The only thing left to do is research what it takes to be a part of your profession and start down the path to success.

Reflecting on the Americans with Disabilities Act 31 Years Later

Featured by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

This week marks 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. It was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990.

This anniversary gives us a moment to think about how this law for people with disabilities has impacted our lives. Reflecting on how this piece of legislation has impacted the lives of people with disabilities helps us understand where we have been. It also helps us gain a better perspective of where we need to be.

Being a person with a disability in the 1980s, when people with disabilities didn’t have the rights we have today was very interesting. I was also a person who used a wheelchair to compensate for my lack of mobility. As a kid, the idea of going to school was both exhausting and exciting. I liked being with kids my age but had to struggle just to get in the building or use the bathroom. The idea of my school being accessible for me seemed like a dream I wasn’t sure would ever come true.

By the time I got home, I was exhausted from the trip. Then I had to make sure to get my homework done for the next day. Being mainstreamed at 7 years old left me with another job. I had to explain to the kids in my class why I had to use a wheelchair to get around.

When I went to high school, I remember having to advocate for my English class be relocated to one if the lower floors for my junior year. At that time, the school’s elevator didn’t reach the top floor where the classroom was located. That was after the ADA had been signed into law, but before buildings were fully brought into compliance. It was a major victory for me as a student because it meant that I could be in an integrated setting with other kids who were just as smart as me. If that didn’t happen, I probably wouldn’t have been able to receive the education that matched my intellectual abilities because of my physical limitations.

These may seem like simple things people with disabilities don’t have to endure now but, they help us appreciate the changes that have been made to improve the lives of people with disabilities. That’s not to say other advances do not need to be made to continue the necessary progress. There are still many areas where things need to be more accessible for people with disabilities. Only then will the Americans with Disabilities Act be fully utilized to ensure access to services for all people with disabilities.

While there is still much work to done, it’s safe to say that the advocates who came before us left a good framework on how to engage in effective advocacy that sparks real change. Their work has also allowed us as a community to recognize where further change is needed. Now it is our chance to continue where they left off. Our efforts can be the catalyst to help us finally gain the ability to be fully integrated into mainstream society.

Varying Communication Options Necessary Now More than Ever Due to the Pandemic

Featured by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

During any sort of emergency, it’s important for people with various speech and hearing limitations to have the ability to communicate and receive information effectively.

Communication is important to get ideas and information across to people. Most people don’t give the simple act of communicating a second thought. People with hearing and other communication disabilities must have the information conveyed to them in a way they can understand while being able to communicate their needs as well. Effective communication is extremely important in these instances.

Simply put, effective communication means whatever is written or spoken must be as clear and understandable to people with disabilities as it is for people who do not have a disability. For people with hearing disabilities, utilizing the services of an Oral interpreter or an American Sign Language interpreter are excellent examples that help facilitate effective communication.

Oral interpreters use silent lip movements to repeat spoken words. American Sign Language is visual in nature. Sign language is not a universal language. Just like there are many different languages spoken around the world, each country has its own sign language. It’s also important to know that American Sign Language (ASL) is not the same as English. For example, it may not be effective communication to use note taking with an individual who is deaf in place of American Sign Language. The best way to avoid any guesswork or miscommunication is to ask the person what type of communication works best for them. It’s important to remember that the individual is the expert on their disability. They know what is best for their particular situation.

An ongoing theme I stress in many of my writings is the availability and use of assistive technology. Assistive technology (AT) is any item, piece of equipment software program or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities. Assistive technology takes many forms. Most recently, there has been an increase in the use of 911 to text messaging. This not only helps someone who can’t speak due to a dangerous situation, but also someone unable to communicate due to a speech disability or other impairment that hinders communication.

AAC devices can also be another option for communication. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices help people with communication disorders express themselves. These devices can range from a simple picture board to a computer program that synthesizes speech from text.

In a news story recently broadcasted, the work of sign language interpreters was highlighted. It showed how they bridge the gap of communication to help deliver important information. The impact their work makes on people’s lives, quite often behind the scenes, is crucial to allow access for all.

It was good to see the sign language interpreter out in front because it showed that not only were government officials doing their due diligence to ensure everyone has access to needed information, but was a visible acknowledgement of an ongoing effort for increased inclusion in the community. During a time of so much political divide and uncertainty in our country, it felt like a way our community was somehow being unified. The fact that the local news station invested the time and effort in putting the story together also demonstrated a shift toward further inclusion of people with disabilities in society.

The availability of accurate information is always important for everyone. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have other communication disabilities are a population that must receive communication and be able to express ideas in alternate formats accessible to them. Sign language interpreters and other varying modes of communication are an integral part of that equation. They provide a gateway that wouldn’t otherwise be available but continues to be extremely needed.